Minister help wanted in prison pay dispute

Staff at the Wandoo Reintegration Facility in Perth, who have been locked in a nine-month pay dispute with private contractor Serco, want the corrective services minister to intervene.

West Australian Prison Officers Union secretary John Welch said staff had asked for a pay increase of 3.75 per cent a year over three years, but Serco had offered 2.8 per cent, 2.9 per cent and three per cent.

Wandoo staff have already taken some industrial action and Mr Welch says it will continue until Serco offers them a better deal.

The union says Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis also has an obligation to co-operate with Serco to minimise the adverse effect of any industrial dispute.

"We think it's time the minister lived up to that and stepped in to ensure that staff at Wandoo get a fair and equitable pay increase," Mr Welch said.

Mr Francis visited Wandoo on Monday while staff were striking, tweeting: "Great to talk to staff and inmates at Wandoo today. Staff morale very high despite best efforts of WAPOU Grinch. #stopstrikingitslunchtime"

Mr Welch said the minister should meet with staff to address their concerns.